Institute for Communication and Religion Launches CORECast Season Two: 'Thralls on Merton'

 The Institute for Communication and Religion (ICR) has released a new episode of the CORECast podcast. The first episode of the new season is titled “Thomas Merton’s Learning to Live ” and shares research on authentic spiritual communication from Chad Thralls, Ph.D., Seton Hall’s 2024 Core Teacher of the Year.

CORECast is a podcast series produced by the ICR that hosts students and faculty discussing both religious and philosophical texts. CORECast is currently in its second season, with the first episode featuring Chad Thralls, and Seton Hall alumni Ashlyn James and Bernie Wagenblast. In the episode, they discuss renowned monk and writer Thomas Merton’s essay, “Learning to Live,” from his book Learning to Love, which is a collection of Merton’s journals.  Merton is recognized as one of America’s authentic spiritual masters whose work offers profound teaching on how to incorporate religion into modern life. 

Merton’s essay centers on contemplation, self-reflection and self-identity; it encourages the reader to focus on meditation to begin the path of self-discovery, and to experience the world and relationships as they are, not an idea of what one believes they should be. 

The text has something to say about our identity; it points out that there is a difference between who we present ourselves as in public and who we really are at our core. It asks us to reflect on how we might live more authentic lives by leaning into our inner selves as opposed to the external selves we present to the world around us,” said Thralls. 

This episode, as well as previous episodes, are now available on the ICR’s PodBean page. More CORECast episodes are to follow as season two continues. 

About the Institute for Communication and Religion

Launched in Fall 2017, the Institute for Communication and Religion within the College of Communication and the Arts provides a nexus for ongoing scholarly exploration of communication topics critically important to religion and society. Guided by the spirit of ecumenical and interreligious cooperation, the Institute seeks to engage in public dialogue and debate, promote academic inquiry and support the religious dimension of creativity — all while upholding the values of servant leadership, curricular innovation and intellectual excellence. For more information on the Institute for Communication and Religion, click here. 

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